U.S. patent application number 13/316376 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-13 for leash for an electronic device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michael C. Huang, Kenneth Y. Minn, David E. Yao. Invention is credited to Michael C. Huang, Kenneth Y. Minn, David E. Yao.
Application Number | 20130148295 13/316376 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48571807 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130148295 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Minn; Kenneth Y. ; et
al. |
June 13, 2013 |
LEASH FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Abstract
One embodiment of the leash for an electronic device, with a
data port, comprises: a connector; a singular cord; an elastomeric
coating; a protective element; and a washer. The connector includes
a broad face, an insertable member adjacent to the broad face and
configured to engage the data port, and a latch configured to
selectively lock the insertable member to the data port. The
singular cord includes a first and second end and defines a
spring-loop junction therebetween, wherein the second end is
arranged proximal to the spring-loop junction to form a loop. The
elastomeric coating is arranged over the cord between the first end
and the spring-loop junction and defines a spring section
therebetween. The protective element is arranged over the
spring-loop junction and the second end of the cord. The washer
couples the first end to the connector, the cord extending from the
broad face of the connector.
Inventors: |
Minn; Kenneth Y.; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Yao; David E.; (San Francisco,
CA) ; Huang; Michael C.; (San Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Minn; Kenneth Y.
Yao; David E.
Huang; Michael C. |
San Francisco
San Francisco
San Francisco |
CA
CA
CA |
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48571807 |
Appl. No.: |
13/316376 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.59 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20130101; A45F
2005/008 20130101; A45F 5/02 20130101; H02G 11/00 20130101; Y10T
24/1397 20150115; A45F 2005/006 20130101; G06F 1/163 20130101; H05K
5/0204 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/679.59 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/16 20060101
G06F001/16 |
Claims
1. A leash for an electronic device with a data port, comprising: a
connector including a broad face, an insertable member adjacent to
the broad face and configured to engage the data port, and a latch,
operable by a user, configured to selectively lock the insertable
member to the data port; a singular cord including a first end and
a second end and defining a spring-loop junction therebetween,
wherein the second end is arranged proximal to the spring-loop
junction to form a loop; an elastomeric coating arranged over the
cord between the first end and the spring-loop junction, the
elastomeric coating defining a spring section of a coil geometry
therebetween; a protective element arranged over the spring-loop
junction and the second end of the cord; and a washer coupling the
first end to the connector, the cord extending from the broad face
of the connector.
2. The leash of claim 1, wherein the cord comprises a fibrous
material.
3. The leash of claim 2, wherein the cord is woven Kevlar.
4. The leash of claim 3, wherein the loop is coated in a
UV-resistant material.
5. The leash of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric coating is a
thermoplastic polyurethane.
6. The leash of claim 5, wherein the elastomeric coating extends
from the first end, over the spring section, and up to the
spring-loop junction and is substantially uniform in cross-section
thereon.
7. The leash of claim 1, wherein the loop is of a size permitting
the connector to pass fully through the loop.
8. The leash of claim 1, wherein the spring section is of a
circular coil geometry.
9. The leash of claim 1, wherein the protective element is molded
over the spring-loop junction and the second end of the cord.
10. The leash of claim 1, wherein the cord further comprises a
first knot proximal to the spring-loop junction and the second end
is knotted around the cord, in a second knot, between the first
knot and the spring-loop junction.
11. The leash of claim 1, wherein the cord passes through the broad
face of the connector and the washer retains the first end within
the connector.
12. The leash of claim 11, wherein the broad face defines a bore,
and wherein the elastomeric coating further defines a linear
section between the first end and the spring section, the linear
section passing through the bore perpendicular to the intended
direction of insertion of the insertable member into the data port
of the electronic device.
13. The leash of claim 11, wherein the cord further comprises a
knot proximal to the first end and retaining the washer on the
cord.
14. The leash of claim 13, wherein the knot is coated in an
adhesive.
15. The leash of claim 1, wherein the cord includes a linear
section between the first end and the spring section, coated in the
elastomeric material, and joined to the connector to extend
therefrom in a direction substantially perpendicular to the
intended direction of insertion of the insertable member into the
data port of the electronic device.
16. The leash of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises a
first detent adjacent to the broad face, the first detent coupled
to the latch and engageable by the user to release the insertable
member from the data port.
17. The leash of claim 16, wherein the connector further comprises
a second latch operable by the user and configured to selectively
lock the insertable member to the data port, the connector further
comprising a second detent adjacent to the broad face opposite the
first detent, the second detent coupled to the second latch and
engageable by the user to release the insertable member from the
data port.
18. The leash of claim 16, wherein the broad face defines a bore
through which the cord passes, the bore being more proximal to the
insertable member than the first detent.
19. A leash for an electronic device with a data port, comprising:
a connector including a planar broad face, an insertable member
adjacent to the broad face and configured to engage the data port,
and a latch, operable by a user, configured to selectively lock the
insertable member to the data port; a singular cord including a
first end and a second end, the cord defining a spring-loop
junction therebetween and a first knot proximal to the spring-loop
junction, wherein the second end is knotted around the cord, in a
second knot, between the first knot and the spring-loop junction to
form a loop; an elastomeric coating arranged over the cord between
the first end and the spring-loop junction, the elastomeric coating
defining a spring section of a coil geometry and a linear section
between the first end and the spring section; a protective element
arranged over the spring-loop junction, the first knot, and the
second end of the cord; and a washer retaining the first end within
the connector, the linear section passing through the broad face
substantially perpendicular to the intended direction of insertion
of the insertable member into the data port of the electronic
device.
20. A leash for an electronic device with a data port, comprising:
a connector including a broad face defining a bore, an insertable
member adjacent to the broad face and configured to engage the data
port, a latch configured to selectively lock the insertable member
to the data port, and a detent adjacent to the broad face and
coupled to the latch, the detent engageable by a user to release
the insertable member from the data port, wherein the bore is more
proximal to the insertable member than the detent; a singular cord
including a first end and a second end, the cord defining
spring-loop junction therebetween and a first knot proximal to the
spring-loop junction, wherein the second end is knotted around the
cord, in a second knot, between the first knot and the spring-loop
junction to form a loop; an elastomeric coating arranged over the
cord between the first end and the spring-loop junction, the
elastomeric coating defining a spring section of a coil geometry
and a linear section between the first end and the spring section;
a protective element arranged over the spring-loop junction, the
first knot, and the second end of the cord; and a washer retaining
the first end within the connector, the linear section passing
through the bore substantially perpendicular to the intended
direction of insertion of the insertable member into the data port
of the electronic device.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Handheld electronic devices, including cell phones,
smartphones, tablet computers, cameras, personal music (MP3)
players, gaming controller, personal gaming devices, are used and
carried by users in a wide variety of situations. Users continue to
use their electronic devices in exceedingly hazardous environments,
from roller coaster rides to snowboarding runs down a slope,
despite the known risks involved, such as dropping the electronic
device and permanently damaging or losing the device altogether.
Thus there is a need in the electronic device accessory field for a
new and useful leash to retain an electronic device for a user.
This invention provides such a new and useful leash for an
electronic device.
FIGURES
[0002] FIGS. 1A and 1B include, respectively, side and front
elevation views of a leash of a preferred embodiment of the
invention;
[0003] FIGS. 2A and 2B include isometric views of the leash of the
preferred embodiment;
[0004] FIG. 3 depicts a usage scenario of the leash, coupled to an
electronic device, of the preferred embodiment;
[0005] FIG. 4 depicts manufacturing steps for the loop section of
the leash of the preferred embodiment;
[0006] FIG. 5 depicts manufacturing steps for the coil section of
the leash of the preferred embodiment;
[0007] FIG. 6 depicts manufacturing steps for the leash of the
preferred embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the connector, installed
in the data port of the electronic device, of the preferred
embodiment;
[0009] FIGS. 8 and 9 depict the prior art in the field of data port
connectors; and
[0010] FIG. 10 is an example of a typical data port incorporated
into electronic devices.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The following description of preferred embodiments of the
invention is not intended to limit the invention to these preferred
embodiments, but rather to enable any person skilled in the art of
to make and use this invention.
[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the leash 100 for an electronic
device 160 with a data port 165of the preferred embodiment,
comprises: a connector 110; a singular cord 120; an elastomeric
coating 130; a washer 140; and a protective element 150. The
connector 110 includes: a broad face 112; an insertable member 111
adjacent to the broad face 112 and configured to engage the data
port 165; and a latch 115, operable by a user, configured to
selectively lock the insertable member 111 within the data port
165. The cord 120 includes a first end 121 and a second end 122 and
defines a spring-loop junction 123 therebetween, wherein the second
end 122 is arranged proximal to the spring-loop junction 123 to
form a loop 124; the cord 120, from the spring-loop junction 123 to
the second end 122, is herein termed the "loop section" of the
cord. The elastomeric coating 130 is arranged over the cord 120
between the first end 121 and the spring-loop junction 123 and
defines a spring section 131 of a coil geometry therebetween. The
protective element 150 is arranged over the spring-loop junction
123 and the second end 122 of the cord, and the washer 140 couples
the first end 121 to the connector 110 with the cord 120 extending
from the broad face 112 of the connector. The connector 110 may
further include a first detent 113 adjacent to the broad face 112
and coupled to the latch 115, the first detent 113 engageable by
the user to release the insertable member 111 from the data port
165; in this variation, the broad face 112 may define a bore 117
through which the cord 120 passes, the bore 117 being more proximal
to the insertable member 111 than the first detent 113. The
elastomeric coating 130 may also define a linear section 132
between the first end 121 and the spring section 131, as shown in
FIGS. 1A and 1B. The cord 120 may also define a first knot 125
proximal to the spring-loop junction 123, wherein the second end
122 is knotted around the cord 120, in a second knot 126, between
the first knot 125 and the spring-loop junction 123 to form the
loop 124; the second knot 126 may also be arranged on top of the
first knot 125, or anywhere else on the cord 120.
[0013] The user may use the leash 100 of the preferred embodiment
to couple an electronic device 160 to an article of clothing worn
by the user. The user may pass the loop section of the cord through
a belt loop or zipper (or other hole in or element of the article
of clothing) and then passes the connector 110 through the loop 124
to secure the leash 100 to the loop or zipper. The user may
subsequently insert the insertable member 111 of the connector into
a data port 165 of the electronic device 160, the latch 115 locking
the insertable member 111 thereto and thus securing the electronic
device 160 to the leash 100, the leash, again, being secured to the
article of clothing. The electronic device 160 is preferably a
smartphone (e.g., an iPhone), but may also be a cellular phone, a
watch, a tablet computer (e.g., an iPad), a personal music player
(i.e. an iPod), a personal gaming device (e.g., a Sony PSP), a
camera, a gaming controller, or any other suitable electronic
device that includes a data port accessible by the user; the data
port 165 of the electronic device preferably incorporates at least
one locking feature 159 by which the latch 115 may lock the
connector 110 to the data port 165, as shown in FIG. 10. For
example, the data port 165 may be a proprietary 30-pin female
receptacle used by Apple, Inc. in a plurality of electronic
devices, including the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad; this
receptacle (or a form thereof) is shown in FIG. 10, which is
reproduced from U.S. Pat. No. 7,918,689, which issued on 29 Sep.
2009 and is incorporated in its entirety by this reference.
However, the data port 165 may be any other receptacle of any other
type or form, such as a headphone jack, a USB port, a power or
charging jack, or any other suitable port. Furthermore, the locking
feature 159 may be integral with a housing of the electronic device
160 (e.g., external the data port 165), or arranged on the
electronic device 160 in any other way.
[0014] The leash 100 is preferably useful in a variety of
applications or environments. In a first usage scenario, the user
installs the connector 110 in the data port 165 of a smartphone and
attaches the loop section to a breast pocket of a snowboarding
jacket (as shown in FIG. 3); the user subsequently takes video with
the smartphone while snowboarding down a slope, the leash 100
retaining the smartphone for the user in the event that the user
drops the smartphone or the smartphone falls out of a pocket. In a
second usage scenario, the user installs the connector 110 in the
data port 165 of a smartphone and attaches the loop section to a
belt loop; the user subsequently takes pictures with the smartphone
while riding a roller coaster, the leash 100 retaining the
smartphone for the user in the event that the smartphone is
dropped. In a third usage scenario, the user installs the connector
no in the data port 165 of a camera and attaches the loop section
to a wrist bracelet; the user subsequently takes pictures with the
camera while water-skiing behind a boat, the leash 100 retaining
the camera for the user in the event that the smartphone is
dropped. (In the third usage scenario, the connector no may also
provide a seal around the data port 165 to protect the port from
water damage.) In a fourth usage scenario, the user installs the
connector no in the data port 165 of a smartphone, attaches the
loop section to a belt loop, and places the smartphone in a back
pant pocket; the user subsequently walks along a crowded street,
the leash 100 retaining the smartphone for the user and/or
inhibiting a thief in the event that a thief attempts to pickpocket
the smartphone. In a fifth usage scenario, the user, who is apt to
drop his smartphone, installs the connector no in the data port 165
of the smartphone and attaches the loop section to a belt loop; the
leash 100 is of an appropriate length to prevent the smartphone
from hitting the floor when the user drops the smartphone, as he is
prone to do. However, the leash 100 may be used in any other way or
in any other application or environment.
[0015] In the above and other usage scenarios, the spring section
131 preferably retracts to a compacted coil form when no or little
force is applied along the longitudinal axis of the coil and
permits the user to extend the leash 100 (e.g., from approximately
110 mm in length in a retracted state to 850 mm in length in a
fully-stretched state, or slightly more that the average length of
a human arm in full extension) to allow comfortable and efficient
use of the electronic device 160 without separating the leash 100
from the electronic device 160 or the article of clothing. The
leash 100 preferably also has a maximum extension that restricts
the maximum separation between the electronic device 160 and the
user.
[0016] The connector 110 of the preferred embodiment, including the
broad face 112, the insertable member 111, and the latch 115,
functions as the interface between the cord 120 and the electronic
device 160. The connector 110 is preferably configured to
selectively lock to the data port 165, wherein the connector 110 is
separable from the electronic device 160 substantially only given
an intentional positive action (such as by the user) to remove the
connector 110 from the electronic device 160, i.e. engaging the
latch 115 to release the insertable member 111 from the data port
165. The latch 115 is preferably configured to automatically lock
to the data port 165 when the insertable member 111 is placed
therein. For example, a separate spring may be coupled to the latch
115, automatically forcing the latch 115 outward to engage a
locking feature 159 of the data port 165 (e.g., the locking feature
159 shown in FIG. 10). However, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the
latch 115 and spring are preferably physically coextensive and
manufactured by stamping and forming sheetmetal, though the latch
115 may be of any other form or created in any other way. The
connector 110 preferably includes at least one latch, but may also
include two such latches, as shown in FIG. 2B (115, 116), or any
other number of latches. Furthermore, the connector 110 may include
a first detent 113 wherein, by pressing the first detent 113, the
latch 115 is repositioned and thus released from the locking
feature 159 of the data port 165. In the variation of the connector
that includes a second latch 116, the connector no may further
include a second detent 114 coupled to the second latch 116, as
shown in FIG. 2B; in this variation, the first and second detents
113, 114 are preferably arranged on opposite sides of the broad
face 112 of the connector and are substantially parallel, as shown
in FIG. 1B, wherein the user may squeeze the first and second
detents 113, 114 between a thumb and a forefinger to remove the
connector no from the data port 165. As shown in FIG. 2A, the two
latches 115, 116 are also preferably defined by the same single
sheetmetal stamping. The second-generation iPod power cord, by
Apple, Inc. and shown in FIG. 9, is an example of an implementation
of a connector with such detents, latches, and an insertable
member. Though such detents are known and used in the art of data
ports and their implementation in the leash 100 of the preferred
embodiment will be readily understood by a person of ordinary skill
in the art, it will be noted that the mooring of the cord 120 to
the connector no is not available in the prior art and would not be
readily apparent or obvious to one skilled in the art.
[0017] The insertable member 111 and the broad face 112 of the
connector are preferably a unitary structure, as shown in FIG. 2B,
which may have the benefit of improving the strength of the
connection between the electronic device 160 and the cord 120.
Though the connector 110 may otherwise include a plurality of other
components (as shown in FIG. 2B), because the broad face 112 and
the insertable member 111 are formed as one unitary structure
rather than being two separate structures ultimately welded,
bonded, or otherwise assembled, the unitary structure of the broad
face 112 and insertable member 111 may be less likely to fail over
a similar component assembled from multiple pieces; this may be
beneficial since mechanical failure between the insertable member
111 and the broad face 112 may reduce the effectiveness of the
leash 100 in retaining the electronic device 160 if dropped,
released, or otherwise separated from the user. The broad face 112
and the insertable member 111 are preferably injection molded as a
single structure and are preferably of a polymer material, such as
nylon, delrin, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), acetal,
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), or any other suitable plastic
or polymer. However, the broad face 112 and the insertable member
111 may be of any other material, such as brass, zinc, steel,
aluminum, silicon, polyester, Kevlar, fiberglass, or polyurethane,
and may be manufactured in any other way, such as by die casting,
investment casting, die forming, stamping, or molding, or by any
other suitable manufacturing process. Furthermore, the broad face
112 is preferably planar and substantially in-plane with the
intended direction of insertion of the insertable member 111 into
the data port 165 of the electronic device 160, as shown in FIGS.
1A and 7. However, the broad face 112 may be of any other form and
of any other position relative to the insertable member 111.
[0018] The cord 120 of the preferred embodiment functions as an
extendible link between the article of clothing worn by the user
and the connector no. The spring section 131 and the loop section
(and the linear section 132, in some variations) comprise the
unitary cord 120 such that a continuous structure passes from the
first end 121 at the connector 110, (through the linear section
132,) through the spring section 131, through the loop section, to
the second end 122. This continuous structure may reduce the
susceptibility of the leash 100 to failure modes common to
conventional similar leashes. One common failure mode for
conventional leashes in the prior art has been a junction between
an extendible component (e.g., the spring section) and a connector,
clip, hook, or other element for coupling the leash to the user;
the interface of two disparate elements along the leash, whether or
not of the same materially, typically leads to a weak point in the
leash assembly. Therefore, the continuous structure (i.e. the
unitary cord 120) passing from the first end 121 to the second end
122 may provide the benefit of a more robust leash in comparison to
conventional leashes.
[0019] The cord 120 is preferably a fibrous cord, such as a woven
string, and preferably has limited capacity for stretching but is
capable of withstanding at least the tensile forces applied to the
leash 100 under normal use conditions without fraying, splitting,
severing, or otherwise failing. The cord 120 is preferably woven
Kevlar, as shown in FIG. 5, but may alternatively be nylon, delrin,
Teflon, polyethylene (PE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF),
ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), or any other
suitable material and may or may not be woven. The cord 120 is also
preferably of a material resistant to degradation in the presence
of ultraviolet (UV) radiation (e.g., sunlight), such as PVDF.
However, the cord 120 may be of a material with relatively low
UV-resistance, such as Kevlar, but coated with a UV-resistant
material or wrapped in a UV-resistant material (e.g., a PVDF sleeve
over a Kevlar core); such a coating or wrap may be applied only
over the loop section of the cord or, alternatively, over the
entire length or other portion of the cord. However, the cord 120
may be of any other suitable material and/or combination of
materials, and the cord 120 may also include one or more layers of
similar or dissimilar material(s) arranged about a fibrous
core.
[0020] The elastomeric coating 130 of the preferred embodiment,
defining the spring section 131, functions to extend from a
compacted coil (e.g., from the retracted state to an extended
state) to allow the user to operate the electronic device 160
without separating the leash 100 from the electronic device 160 or
the leash from the article of clothing. The spring section 131 is
preferably formed by coating a section of the coil in the
elastomeric coating 130 and forming the spring section 131 into the
coil geometry. The elastomeric coating 130 is preferably
thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), but may alternatively be rubber,
nylon, chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM), nitrile butadiene
rubber (NBR), PVC, a NBR/PVR blend, or any other suitable material.
The elastomeric coating 130 is preferably elastic and has shape
memory such that the elastomeric coating 130 preferably: retains
the shape of the retracted coil in the absence of a substantial
tensile force applied along the longitudinal axis of the coil; is
prone to return to the original coil geometry in the absence of
such a force; and permits extension of the coil, in the presence of
such a substantial force, without substantial fatigue, display of
wear, cracking, or other failure. The elastomeric coating 130
preferably also has the following properties: color permanence;
ozone-resistance; weather-resistance; UV-resistance;
heat-resistance (e.g., to melting at temperatures above 100.degree.
C.); cold-resistance (e.g., to cracking under manipulation at
temperatures below -20.degree. C.); resistance to a wide range of
chemicals; resistance to abrasion and mechanical abuse; and
suitable adhesion to the cord 120. However, the elastomeric coating
130 may have any other property.
[0021] The elastomeric coating 130 further functions to define the
spring section 131 that is a coil of circular geometry (e.g., 8.5
mm in outer diameter), as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A; however, the
spring section 131 may be a coil of rectilinear or elliptical
geometry, or of any other suitable geometry. The elastomeric
coating 130 is preferably of a uniform circular cross-section over
the spring section 131 (e.g., approximately 3 mm in diameter), as
shown in FIG. 2A, but may alternatively be rectilinear or
elliptical in cross-section, or of any other geometry. However, the
elastomeric coating 130 may not be uniform in cross-section over
the length of the spring section 131; for example, the
cross-section of the spring section 131 may taper from 2 mm
proximal to the first end 121 to 5 mm in diameter proximal to the
middle of the spring section 131 and back to 2 mm proximal to the
spring-loop junction 123. Furthermore, the spring section 131 is
preferably between 100 mm and 120 mm in length in the retracted
state and capable of between 800 mm and 900 m maximum length in the
fully-stretched state. However, the geometry of the elastomeric
coating 130 and the spring section 131 may be of any other form and
of any other dimension, and the spring section 131 may be of any
other length in the retracted state and/or fully-expanded
state.
[0022] In the variation of the elastomeric coating 130 that defines
the linear section 132 between the first end 121 and the spring
section 131, the coating on the linear section 132 is preferably of
the same cross-section as the coating on the spring section 131 and
continuous with the coating on the spring section 131 (e.g., the
coatings on both sections are formed and/or applied simultaneously,
as shown in FIG. 5). The linear section 132 preferably passes
through a bore 117 in the broad face 112 of the connector (as shown
in FIG. 2B) and is moored thereto, wherein the linear section 132
defines a gap between the connector no and the spring section 131
such that the connector no does not substantially interfere with or
substantially rub on the spring section 131 during normal use. In
other words the linear section 132 functions to separate the spring
section 131 from the connector no to provide a transition region
between the connector no and the spring section 131 that centers
the spring section 131 on the connector no and properly defines the
direction that the spring section 131 extends from the connector
no, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6.
[0023] The elastomeric coating 130 preferably covers the cord 120
from the first end 121, (over the linear section 132,) over the
spring section 131, to the spring-loop junction 123, as shown in
FIGS. 2A and 2B. In one variation of the leash 100, the cord 120
further defines a knot, proximal to the first end 121, that
functions to mechanically retain the washer 140 on the cord 120
(i.e. to prevent the washer 140 from sliding past the first end
121), as shown in FIG. 5. In this variation, the knot is preferably
defined by a section of the cord not coated in the elastomeric
material, and the knot is preferably coated in an adhesive. In an
alternative variation, a bead is joined to the cord 120, proximal
to the first end 121, to mechanically retain the washer 140 on the
cord 120; the bead may be crimped, bonded, or otherwise joined to
the cord 120. The bead may be arranged over a portion of the cord
already coated with the elastomeric coating 130, but is preferably
arranged over a portion of the cord not coated with the elastomeric
coating 130.
[0024] The washer 140 of the preferred embodiment, functions to
mechanically moor the cord 120 to the connector 110. As described
above, the washer 140 is preferably retained on the cord 120
mechanically, such as by a knot or bead proximal to the first end
121 of the cord. In a first example of a manufacturing method of
the cord 120 shown in FIG. 5: (STEP 1) the cord 120 is woven from
Kevlar strands; (STEP 2) TPU (the elastomeric coating 130) is
extruded over the cord 120; (STEP 3) the washer 140 is molded over
the elastomeric coating 130 proximal to the first end 121; (STEP 4)
the spring section 131 is wrapped around a metal wire and baked to
form the circular coil geometry; (STEP 5) the cord proximal to the
first end 121 is shaped to create the linear section 132 and baked;
(STEP 6) the elastomeric coating is stripped from the cord 120
between the first end 121 and the washer 140, as well as from the
loop section; and (STEP 7) a knot is created between the first end
121 and the washer 140 and coated in an adhesive. The second end
122 of the cord may then be threaded through the bore 117 of the
broad face 112 and the cord 120 pulled therethrough until the
washer bottoms on the opposite the broad face, the washer
preventing the second end 122 from passing through the connector
110 (STEP 11). In a second example of a manufacturing method
similar to the previous example: STEP 6 follows STEP 2, and STEP 3
is replaced by crimping the washer 140 that is steel to the cord
120 proximal to the first end 121. However, the washer 140 may be
mechanically fastened to the cord 120 in any other way, such as
with a knot or by directly crimping the washer 140 to the cord 120;
alternatively, the washer 140 may be coupled to the cord 120 by
adhering, gluing, bonding, fusing, welding, or other chemical
joining. The washer 140 may also be physically coextensive with the
broad face 112.
[0025] In a first variation of the washer 140, the second end 122
of the cord is passed from the inside of the broad face 112 and
through the bore 117 of the broad face 112; the cord 120 is then
pulled though the broad face 112 until the washer 140 engages the
inside of the broad face 112, the washer 140 thus retaining the
first end 121 within the connector 110. In this variation, the
connector 110 preferably includes a locating feature 118 (as shown
in FIG. 2A) that retains the washer 140 in a given orientation;
this may provide the benefit of maintaining the orientation of the
portion of spring section 131 (or the linear section 132) emanating
from the broad face 112, the connector 110 thus always
appropriately positioned for ease of insertion of the insertable
member 111 into the data port 165 of the electronic device 160. The
washer 140, therefore, preferably includes a feature or is of an
appropriate geometry to engage the locating feature 118, such as
the rectilinear washer shown in FIG. 2A.
[0026] In a second variation of the washer 140, the washer 140
engages an external feature on the broad face 112 of the connector,
such as a recess, a hook, a latch, or other suitable feature, the
washer 140 thus moored to the broad face 112 external to the
connector no. However, the washer 140 and the broad face 112 may be
physically coextensive, wherein the washer 140 of the broad face
112 is crimped, bonded, welded, or otherwise joined to the cord 120
directly, or the washer 140 may be of any other geometry and
coupled to the connector 110 in any other way.
[0027] The washer 140 preferably orients the cord 120 such that the
cord 120 protrudes from the broad face 112 in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the
insertable member 111 into the data port 165. In the variation of
the broad face 112 that is planar and substantially in-plane with
the direction of insertion of the insertable member 111 into the
data port 165, the washer 140 preferably orients the cord 120 to
protrude from the broad face 112 in a direction substantially
normal to the broad face 112. The washer 140 also preferably
couples the cord 120 to the connector 110 substantially proximal to
the insertable region, which may reduce the lever arm length (e.g.,
the distance between the cord-connector joint and the insertable
member 111) of the leash 100 and thus reduce the magnitude of
torques applied to the data port 165 under normal use. By so
orienting the cord to protrude from the broad face 112 and
substantially near the insertable member 111, as shown in FIG. 7,
torques exerted by the connector no on the data port 165 during
normal use may be minimized; this is desirable as excessive torques
applied to the data port 165 may result in damage to the data port
165. The cord-connector orientation of the preferred embodiment, as
shown in FIG. 7, may therefore offer significant benefits over the
connector-cord arrangements of the prior art, which are typified by
FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0028] Typically, data ports integrated into electronic devices are
configured to receive a plug (or other adapter) inserted in a
direction in plane with a display screen (or keyboard or user input
region) of the electronic device, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. FIGS.
8 and 9 depict the prior art in the field of data port plugs,
wherein the typical orientation of a cable or cord on the plug is
opposite the insertable member of the plug, the cable or cord
emanating from the plug along the direction of intended insertion
of the insertable member into the data port. Such an orientation of
the cord on the connector, when applied to the leash 100 of the
preferred embodiment, is likely to result in torques of undesired
magnitudes applied to the data port when the leash is used in
conjunction with the electronic device, such as in the usage
scenario shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, the cord 120 is preferably
coupled to the connector 110, as shown in FIG. 7, with the cord 120
moored to the connector 110 in a direction perpendicular to the
intended direction of insertion of the insertable member 111 into
the data port 165. The washer 140 preferably so couples the cord
120 to the connector 110.
[0029] The cord 120 of the preferred embodiment further functions
to define the loop 124, opposite the connector no, wherein the user
may use the loop 124 to couple the leash 100 to an article of
clothing or other device, element, or article. To form the loop
124, the second end 122 of the cord is arranged proximal to the
spring-loop junction 123. In a first variation, the second end 122
is knotted around the cord 120 proximal to the spring-loop junction
123, the knot thus maintaining the location of the second end 122
proximal to the spring-loop junction 123. In a second variation,
the cord 120 defines a first knot 125 proximal to the spring-loop
junction 123, as shown in STEP 14 of FIG. 4; the second end 122 is
then knotted around the cord 120, in a second knot 126, between the
first knot 125 and the spring-loop junction 123, as shown in STEP
15 of FIG. 4. This second variation of the loop 124, including the
first and second knots 125, 126, may have the benefit of being more
secure over alternative geometries, since the application of a
tensile force to the loop 124 tightens the first knot 125, which
prevents the second knot 126 from sliding along the cord 120, past
the second knot 126, and away from the spring-loop junction
123.
[0030] Prior to arrangement of the second end 122 of the cord
proximal to the spring-loop junction 123, the loop section is
preferably cut to length, as shown in STEP 13 of FIG. 4, such that,
when the leash 100 is assembled, the connector 110 may pass fully
through the loop 124.
[0031] The protective element 150 of the preferred embodiment,
shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, functions to: prevent the end of the
elastomeric coating 130, terminating at the spring-loop junction
123, from peeling away from the cord 120; and to protect the second
end 122 of the cord to prevent inadvertent destruction of the
coupling between the second end 122 and the spring section 131. The
protective element 150 is preferably of a polymer, such as nylon,
acetal, ABS, PTFE, PE, PS, PP, HDPE, UHMWPE, Bakelite, silicone,
rubber, latex, or any other suitable polymer or plastic, and is
preferably overmolded over the spring-loop junction 123, including
over the end of the elastomeric coating 130 and the second end 122
of the cord. However, the protective element 150 may be of any
other material, such as an elastomer or metal, and may be assembled
over the spring-loop junction 123 and second end 122 in any other
way; for example, the protective element 150 may be crimped in
place over the cord 120 or assembled from two or more disparate
pieces over the cord 120. Furthermore, in the variation in which
the second end 122 is not knotted to the cord 120, the protective
element 150 may provide the sole means of retention of the second
end 122 in the proper location proximal to the spring-loop junction
123.
[0032] The leash 100 is preferably manufactured by the following
steps, as shown in FIGS. 4-6: (STEP 1) weave Kevlar strands into
the cord 120 of approximately 0.8 mm width (or diameter); (STEP 2)
coat the Kevlar cord 120 with a thin UV-resistant coating and cut
the cord to length; (STEP 3) extrude TPU (the elastomeric coating
130) over the cord 120; (STEP 4) injection mold the washer 140,
from ABS, over the elastomeric coating 130 proximal to the first
end 121; (STEP 5) wrap the spring section 131 around a metal wire
and bake the cord 120 to form the circular coil geometry of the
spring section 131; (STEP 6) shape the cord 120 proximal to the
first end 121 to create the linear section 132 and bake the cord
120; (STEP 7) strip the elastomeric coating 130 from the cord 120
between the first end 121 and the washer 140, as well as from the
loop section; (STEP 8) create two knots between the first end 121
and the washer 140 and coat the knots in an adhesive; (STEP 9)
injection mold the components of the connector 110, including the
broad face 112 and insertable member 111, two detents 113, 114, and
a rear housing 119, from ABS pellets, including colorant (e.g.,
black); (STEP 10) stamp and form two physically coextensive latches
115, 116 from stainless steel sheet; (STEP 11) pull second end 122
of the cord through the bore 117 of the broad face until the washer
150 engages back side of the broad face 112 washer 140; (STEP 12)
assemble the connector 110 by installing the latches 115, 116,
installing the detents 113, 114, and ultrasonically welding the
rear housing 119 in place; (STEP 13) trim the cord 120 to length at
the second end 122; (STEP 14) form a first knot 125 in the loop
section proximal to the spring-loop junction 123; (STEP 15) form a
second knot 126, with the second end 122, between the spring-loop
junction 123 and the first knot 125; (STEP 16) injection mold the
protective element 150, from ABS pellets, including colorant, over
the spring-loop junction 123 and first and second knots 125, 126.
These steps may be performed in any suitable order and may be
replaced by any other suitable manufacturing method, material, or
step. Any additional steps may also be added to the manufacturing
process for the leash 100, such as (STEP 17) printing a colored
logo on the connector 110 opposite the broad face 112, either
before or after assembly of the connector, or gluing the washer to
the inside of the broad face 112.
[0033] The leash 100 may also include additional features. In a
first variation, the washer 140 is configured to break away from
the cord 120 given a force greater than a threshold maximum force,
wherein a force significantly greater than the threshold maximum
force, when applied to the data port 165 of the electronic device
160, will likely result is significant damage to the electronic
device 160. Alternatively, the washer 140 may be configured to
break away from the connector 110, the connector 110 may be
configured to disintegrate, or the latch 115 may be configured to
release in the presence of a force greater than the threshold
maximum force. By incorporating such a feature, damage to the
electronic device 160 may be limited when in use with the leash
100. In a second variation, the clip may include active or passive
circuitry to transmit data to the electronic device 160, through
the data port 165, when installed therein. In a first example, when
the connector 110 is installed in the data port 165, a camera or
music application of the electronic device 160 is automatically
opened (or a feature thereof automatically adjusted). In a second
example, the connector no acts as a key for an application
executing on the electronic device 160, wherein the user must
insert the connector no in the data port 165 of the electronic
device 160 in order to access the application in general or one or
more features of the application. In potential scenario of this
second example, a roller coaster ride provides leashes 100 of the
preferred embodiment to individuals riding the roller coaster; an
individual who installs the leash 100 to an article of clothing and
to the data port 165 of his smartphone may use an application thus
unlocked to take pictures while riding the roller coaster, wherein
the unlocked application automatically transmits the pictures to an
onsite database that collects the images and provides tangible,
large format prints to riders of the roller coaster following the
ride. In a third example, the connector no includes sensors
(powered by the electronic device 160 through the data port 165)
configured to detect failure of the leash 100; the electronic
device 160 monitors the sensors and, given an assertion of leash
failure, sounds an audible alarm and/or initiates a GPS honing
beacon to aid the user in tracking down the electronic device 160.
In a variation of this third example, the connector 110 may simply
include a conductive element that couples two pins of the data port
165, the electronic device 160 recognizing low resistance between
the two pins as indicative that the connector 110 is installed in
the data port 165 and high resistance between the two pins as
indicative that the connector no has been removed therefrom. In a
fourth example, the leash 100 includes an electric generator that
produces current as the spring section 131 stretches and retracts
under normal usage; this current is directed from the connector 110
into the data port 165 to charge the electronic device 160.
However, the leash 100 may incorporate any other active or passive
circuitry to augment the functionality of the leash 100 and/or the
electronic device 160.
[0034] As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the
previous detailed description and from the figures and claims,
modifications and changes can be made to the preferred embodiments
of the invention without departing from the scope of this invention
as defined in the following claims.
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